Among the most vulnerable people in our city are women, including seniors and mothers with children. Donna was facing homelessness at age 62, but God led her to a safe haven—and a new beginning—at Nashville Rescue Mission!
The high cost of living made it impossible for Donna to live alone, especially with the crushing cost of her prescription medicines. But when her daughter didn’t pay the rent, the challenges escalated until the entire family was evicted.
“I came to Nashville Rescue Mission because God told me I was going to come here,” Donna says. “When I got here, I heard so many women’s stories, traumatic stories. All here are broken.”
“I try to put a smile on their faces,” she says. “I tell them, ‘Sometimes it’s not a broken situation, sometimes it’s a beginning.’ This is an opportunity to reflect on your life and start a new beginning. You ask God in what direction He wants you to go.”
Donna is thriving in the Mission’s Christ-centered environment. “Going to the chapel gives you a lot of strength if you’re willing to let God take a part of your life and change it. I’ve seen God moving so much in the few weeks I’ve been here. I’ve always prayed for these women because everybody needs prayer and everybody needs guidance . . . once you start showing Jesus’ compassion, you can change the whole world.”
At Nashville Rescue Mission, Donna says, “The staff have a lot of hard things to do [caring for everyone at the Women’s Center]. You get what you need. There’s a bed, something to eat, and somewhere to take a shower. Those are important basic things we need to get on our feet.”
“I always lived somewhere where it was nice. I worked two jobs to send my kids to college. I raised eight kids,” she says, shaking her head at the challenges that brought her face to face with homelessness. “I thank God that I have a shelter to go to because there’s so many people out on the streets now.”
Donna enjoyed a long career in nursing until a car accident caused extensive damage to her back. Today, she is back in the classroom, working toward a real estate license. “I tell people it’s never too late to learn. I’m going to real estate school so I can find a way to be independent and start my life anew.”
Deeply thankful for caring donors who support the Mission, Donna says, “There are people that come in here with no shoes, no clothes, just what they have on their backs. Your donations help us get on our feet.”
Fantastic news! Committed friends of Nashville Rescue Mission have offered a $75,000 MATCHING CHALLENGE to rally friends like you to meet urgent needs in our community as summer winds down . . . and cool weather rolls in.
Your gift now will make TWICE the difference for people like Donna who are hungry, hurting, and need a helping hand!
